Thank you for these words. If only to know I’m not upsetting those I wish to help.

But damn, your words brought tears.

I always thought of Toronto and Canada as a bit of a refuge from the bizarreness on the news about our brothers and sisters to the south.

But now I know this was just my ignorance. So many people on social that I once considered associates are filled with hate or disinterest or animosity on these issues. And they are also from here. They are my neighbors and coworkers.

I recently travelled to Jamaica with a mainly black crew. Most of them were DJs or ex-DJs. Some of the best dancing and partying of my life, but also a realization that my Toronto was not their Toronto.

These guys were stopped and harassed on a daily basis. The police were abusive and power-enamoured beasts in their lives. They spoke to me of discrimination, fear and racism. My eyes began to open and my heart ached.

I didn’t know how to handle the BLM action during Pride. At first, I was confused and maybe even angry. It made no sense to me. Until I recalled the people I had spoken to. Until I remembered the videos every fucking day that I didn’t want to watch. Until I remembered my friends on Medium refusing to forget the names of those killed by the police.

I am so proud that you are standing up and taking action. I am sad too. Sad that we don’t live in the city I thought we did. But please know you aren’t standing alone. I won’t be silent anymore.